Vehicle mountable support for a grill

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an apparatus for connecting a grill or other object to the body, of a vehicle and transporting the grill, or other object to a remote location.  
     Specifically, the present invention provide for an apparatus to support an object on a vehicle hitch. The apparatus is comprised of: an elbow support component; and a transportation bar. The horizontal portion of the elbow support component detachably connects to the vehicle hitch, and the vertical portion of the elbow support component detachably connects to the transportation bar. The transportation bar is comprised of a vertical sleeve for detachably connecting to the elbow support component; a horizontal beam for detachably connecting to the object; and at least one stability wing connecting the sleeve and the beam.  
     More specifically, it is the stability wings connecting the support beam to the horizontal sleeve that is the object of the invention. By providing this extra support, the transportation bar of the present invention provides for increased stability to the object during transportation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for supportingrecreational accessories such as grills and tables, and moreparticularly, to a novel accessory support system detachably mounted toa trailer hitch of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Portions of the disclosure of this patent document containmaterial that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright ownerhas no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patentdocument or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent andTrademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightswhatsoever.

BACKGROUND

[0003] During many outdoor recreational activities, such as picnics,camping or tailgate parties, it is desirable to have a barbeque grillfor preparing food. Frequently, there are no cooking facilitiesavailable for these occasions and activities, and it is therefore commonto transport a conventional or portable stove or grill designed foroutdoor cooking to the location of the activity.

[0004] There are certain disadvantages associated with transporting andusing outdoor grills. Conventional outdoor grills can be bulky andheavy, and therefore difficult to store and transport. Many portablegrills, while lighter in weight and smaller in scale, require supportstructures, such as grill stands or table bases.

[0005] Portable grill tops that do not require supporting structureshave also been developed. They are better suited for storage andtransport inside a vehicle due to their small size and reduced storagerequirements. However, when removed from the vehicle and positioned forcooking, they must be adequately supported for safe operation.Accordingly, such a portable grill must be placed on the vehicle itselffor support, or upon some other convenient support means. Locating suchsupporting means may be difficult, especially around campsites, sportingevents or in other remote surroundings. Additionally, these types ofgrills can sometimes be overturned by wind unless securely anchored tothe ground.

[0006] Many existing grills are too heavy to make them truly portable orconvenient. In addition, existing grills require a significant amount ofstorage space within the vehicle during transport. While smallerportable grills and grill tops require less space in the transportingvehicle, in addition to the problems described above, their smaller sizelimits the quantities of food that can be cooked on the grill. Any sizeor type of grill that is used repeatedly becomes dirty with use, and cansoil the interior of the transporting vehicle.

[0007] None of these types of grills offer a truly convenient manner oftransporting and utilizing the grill without the inconvenience and messof loading or unloading it from the vehicle.

[0008] Single axle two-wheel trailers that house a grill have also beendeveloped. However, while these devices alleviate some of the problemsassociated with transporting conventional grills, they require ahitch-bearing vehicle having sufficient power and substantially increasethe difficulty of driving and parking the pulling vehicle. In addition,they are quite expensive.

[0009] Therefore, a need exists for an outdoor grill that can be easilyattached to and removed from a motor vehicle, while allowing full use ofthe vehicle's storage space. A need exists for a grill that requireslittle or no setup, and does not substantially affect handling, turningor parking of the vehicle.

[0010] Grills that attach directly to the hitch of a vehicle have beendeveloped to meet this need. These grills are frequently known as“tailgating grills”. But for a number of reasons, existing-tailgatinggrills are difficult to use for a number of reasons. In particular, thesize of known tailgating grills is usually limited, as the grills canbecome unstable during transportation due to the manner in which mosttailgating grills are attached to the vehicle.

[0011] Accordingly, a need exists for a grill transportation apparatusthat can be detachably mounted to any type of vehicle equipped with atrailer hitch or other hitch means; that allows full use of thevehicle's storage space; that provides sufficient support and stabilityfor a grill or other accessory during transportation; and that can beeasily converted to a free-standing grill.

[0012] The present invention provides for such a grill supportapparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In view of the foregoing, it is the primary object of the presentinvention to provide a grill support system that is adapted to bedetachably mounted to a vehicle.

[0014] It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatusfor connecting a grill or other accessory to the body of a vehicle andtransporting the grill or other accessory to a remote location.

[0015] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providean apparatus for supporting an object on a vehicle hitch, wherein saidapparatus is comprised of: an elbow support component; and atransportation bar; wherein a horizontal portion of the elbow supportcomponent detachably connects to the vehicle hitch; wherein a verticalportion of the elbow support component detachably connects to thetransportation bar; and wherein the transportation bar is comprised of avertical sleeve for detachably connecting to the elbow supportcomponent; a horizontal beam for detachably connecting to the object;and at least one stability-wing connecting the sleeve and the beam.

[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for supporting an object during the transportation of theobject on the hitch of a vehicle, wherein said apparatus is comprised ofa sleeve portion; a support beam; and at least one stability wingconnecting the sleeve portion and the support beam, whereby said objectis connected to the support beam.

[0017] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be setforth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjectives and advantages of the invention will be realized and attainedby the system particularly pointed out in the written description andclaims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide afurther understanding of the invention and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of theinvention that together with the description serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

[0019] In the drawings:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a front view of a grill attached to a vehicle using thegrill transportation apparatus of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a side view of a grill attached to a vehicle using thegrill transportation apparatus of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 3 illustrates the grill transportation apparatus of thepresent invention used to support a grill in free-standing operation.

[0023]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the components of a preferredembodiment of the grill transportation apparatus of the presentinvention.

[0024]FIG. 5 is an angle view of the transportation bar and supportelbow components of the inventive grill transportation apparatus.

[0025]FIG. 6 is a side view of the transportation bar and support elbowcomponents of the inventive grill transportation apparatus.

[0026]FIG. 7 is a view of the transportation bar component.

[0027]FIG. 8 is a view of a side arm component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In the following description, numerous specific details are setforth to provide a more thorough description of embodiments of theinvention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, thatthe invention may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well known features have not been described in detail so asnot to obscure the invention.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 & 2, grilling apparatus 10 is attached tohitch 4 of a vehicle 5 for transportation. As shown, grilling apparatus10 is preferably comprised of grill 11 and grill transportationapparatus 19. In a preferred embodiment, grilling apparatus 10 mayinclude side trays 12 a and 12 b, and storage rack 13. Side trays 12 aand 12 b and storage rack 13 are not required.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, grill transportation apparatus 19 iscomprised of transportation bar 20 and elbow support 30. When grilltransportation apparatus 19 is attached to hitch 4 of vehicle 5, itsupports grill 11 above ground level for transport as well as cooking.Alternatively, grill 11 can be detached from the vehicle and supportedby foldout legs, whereby the apparatus can be used as a free-standinggrill, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, grill 11 is comprised of grill body 14and side tables 12 a and 12 b. Side tables 12 a and 12 b may beconnected to grill body 14 by any method known to those skilled in theart. In the embodiment shown, side tables 12 a and 12 b are connected togrill body 14 by bolts. A more detailed view of a preferred embodimentof a side table is shown in FIG. 8.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 8, side table 12 is preferably comprised of arms53 a, 53 b, tabs 51 a, 51 b and brace 52. Not shown in FIG. 8 are thewooden slats between arms 53 a and 53 b that form a tabletop, as shownin FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Side arm tabs 51 a and 51 b are preferably weldedonto arms 53 a and 53 b such that apertures in the tabs match up withpredrilled apertures in the side of grill body 14. Bolts may then beused to connect arms 53 a and 53 b to grill body 14 through side armtabs 51 a and 51 b. In an alternative embodiment, arms 53 a and 53 b maybe directly bolted to grill body 14. Brace 52 connects arms 53 a and 53b. Brace 52 may be welded to arms 53 a and 53 b. Other connection meansare known to those skilled in the art, and are intended to be within thescope of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, threeapertures 54 a, 54 b and 54 c are drilled in brace 52. More or fewerapertures may be used. The apertures may be equally sized, or may be ofvarying size.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, brace 52 a and brace 52 b of side tables 12 aand 12 b respectively, are connected to transportation bar 20 and grillbody 14. Preferably, transportation bar 20 has predrilled apertures thatmatch up with apertures 54 a, 54 b and 54 c of braces 52 a and 52 b. Theconnection apertures in transportation bar 20 are shown in FIG. 7 asapertures 81, 82 and 83 on each side of the bar, and will be describedin more detail. In a preferred embodiment, bolts are threaded throughapertures 81, 82, 83 in transportation bar 20 into matching braceapertures 54 a, 54 b and 54 c. In a preferred embodiment, a boltthreaded through transportation bar aperture 81, 82 or 83 and a side armaperture 54 is also threaded through matching connection apertures 72 aor 72 b in grill body 14, thereby connecting all three componentstogether.

[0034] In addition to the connection through the apertures 82 a and 82b, transportation bar 20 is also preferably connected directly to grillbody 14 at an additional central location. A preferred mechanism forconnecting transportation bar 20 to grill body 14 is throughtransportation bar tabs 25 a and 25 b welded onto transportation bar 20.Transportation bar tabs 25 a and 25 b are shown in more detail in FIGS.5, 6 and 7. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, transportation bar tabs 25 aand 25 b are connected to transportation bar 20 at an angle, such thatwhen grill body 14 is placed on top of transportation bar 20,transportation bar tabs 25 a and 25 b are in direct contact with grillbody 14. Grill body 14 may then be directly connected to transportationbar 20 through bolts placed through predrilled apertures in grill body14 that match up with transportation bar tab apertures 26 a and 26 b,located in transportation bar tabs 25 a and 25 b respectively.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, grill body 14 also has a large aperture 71centrally located in the bottom of the body that is coupled with thelarge central aperture 27 in transportation bar 20. As shown in FIGS. 5and 7, transportation bar 20 has a large central aperture 27 located onthe top, and large central square sleeve 21 extending from the bottom.Preferably, the diameter of large central aperture 26 and the width ofthe square sleeve 21 should be approximately the same. In addition, theinside perimeter of square sleeve 21 should accommodate elbow support30. Preferably, elbow support 30 is manufactured from standard steelsheet, and therefore square sleeve 21 and central aperture 27 are sizedaccordingly.

[0036] In one alternative embodiment, transportation bar 20 is onlydirectly connected to grill body 14 through side arms 12 as describedabove, and transportation bar tabs 25 a and 25 b are not used. Inanother alternative embodiment, transportation bar 20 is only directlyconnected to grill body 14 through transportation bar tabs 25 a and 25 band grill body connection aperture 71. In a preferred embodiment,transportation bar 20 is connected to grill body 14 through bothtransportation bar tabs and side tables.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, transportation bar 20 is comprisedof sleeve 21, beam 22, stability wings 23 a and 23 b, transportation barend connection pieces 24 a, 24 b, and-transportation bar tabs 25 a, 25b. Stability wings 23 a and 23 b provide extra support to beam 22. It isthrough these stability wings that the present invention is able toprovide extra stability to the grill or other object duringtransportation. Because the object has strong horizontal support as wellas vertical support, it is less likely to wobble to topple over duringtransportation. Stability wings 23 a and 23 b are typically of aright-triangle shape, with the 90 degree angle of the triangle placed atthe point where the vertical sleeve connects to the horizontal supportbeam.

[0038] Vertical segment 32 of elbow support 30 connects totransportation bar 20 through sleeve 21. Sleeve 21 is sized andconfigured to slidably receive the outer portion of vertical segment 32.As shown in FIG. 5, the connection may be secured by fastening a bolt ora threaded pin 41 through apertures 28 a and 28 b in the wall of sleeve21 and matching apertures in the outer end portion of vertical segment32. Alternatively, as shown by FIGS. 6 and 7, two bolts andcorresponding apertures may be used. Other connection means are known tothose skilled in the art and are intended to come within the scope ofthe present invention.

[0039] Elbow support 30 enables the grilling apparatus to be detachablysecured to a vehicle 5 by means of a receiver hitch 4 or otherconnection means. The hitch may be any standard type of hitch and issecurely attached to vehicle 5 by any means known to those skilled inthe art. Other types of hitches and connection devices are known tothose skilled in the art, and are intended to come within the scope ofthe present invention.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, elbow support 30 is comprised of a horizontalsegment 31 and a vertical segment 32. Horizontal segment 31 is sized andconfigured to slidably fit into receiver hitch 4. In a preferredembodiment, the inner walls of hitch 4 define a channel of sufficientlength to enable the entire apparatus to be securely supported thereby.Detachable connection between segment 31 and hitch 4 may be effected byfastening a bolt or threaded pin through aperture 34 in segment 31 ofelbow support 30 and a matching aperture in hitch 4. As will be obviousto one skilled in the art, segment 31 of elbow support 30 may containmore or fewer apertures through which a connection to hitch 60 may bemade. In a preferred embodiment, elbow support also comprises triangularsupport 33. This support provides extra stability to the object beingtransported during transportation.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, reinforcing plate 33 is used toreinforce the connection between horizontal segment 31 and verticalsegment 32 of elbow support 30.

[0042] As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the grilltransportation apparatus of the present invention can be used totransport other objects. In particular, the transportation bar can bemodified o customized to fit any number of objects. For example, thetransportation bar could be modified to connect to a table or bar. Thetransportation bar could be used as an umbrella stand stabilizer It isintended that these modifications and alternative uses of the inventivegrill transportation apparatus come within the scope of the presentinvention.

[0043] The foregoing description has been directed to specificembodiments of this invention. It will be apparent, however, that othervariations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments,with the attainment of some or all of their advantages. Therefore, it isthe object of the appended claims to cover all such variations andmodifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for supporting an object on a vehicle hitch,wherein said apparatus is comprised of: an elbow support component; anda transportation bar; wherein a horizontal portion of the elbow supportcomponent detachably connects to the vehicle hitch; wherein a verticalportion of the elbow support component detachably connects to thetransportation bar; and wherein the transportation bar is comprised of avertical sleeve for detachably connecting to the elbow supportcomponent; a horizontal beam for detachably connecting to the object;and at least one stability wing connecting the sleeve and the beam. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, where said at least one stability wing is of atriangular shape.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said at least onestability wing is the shape of a right triangle, and the 90-degreecorner of the right triangle-shaped stability wing is positioned wherethe horizontal beam meets the vertical sleeve.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, wherein said at least one stability wing is welded to the horizontalbeam and vertical sleeve.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidobject is a grill, and said transportation bar connects to the grillthrough the horizontal beam.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein saidhorizontal beam additionally comprises a plurality of transportation barend connection pieces, and said transportation bar end pieces connect tothe grill body.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said horizontalbeam additionally comprises at least one transportation bar tab, andsaid at least one transportation bar tab connects to the grill body. 8.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elbow support additionallycomprises a triangular support connecting the horizontal portion and thevertical portion of the elbow support.
 9. An apparatus for supporting anobject during the transportation of the object on the hitch of avehicle, wherein said apparatus is comprised of: a sleeve portion; asupport beam; and at least one stability wing connecting the sleeveportion and the support beam, whereby said object is connected to thesupport beam.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said at, least onestability wing is a triangular piece that connects to an undersideportion of the support beam and an outside portion of the sleeveportion.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said at least onestability wing is a right-triangle shaped piece.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein said object is a grill.